Although not a complete checklist for investigation, this list is intended as a guideline, which, if seen in an insurance company loss file, may quite possibly prompt the company to initiate a thorough investigation.  These items were assembled and published by D. M. Disney and Associates Inc., a fraud investigation and litigation support specialist firm.  The abbreviated list is as follows:

*very personal items missing with little actual cash value
*more items that would normally fit into a pickup truck or van (most are one load, or less)
*NO OBVIOUS FORCED ENTRY!!!!!!!!!! (limited number of keys)
*alarm system or security, not in operation
*loss occurred during the three-day weekend when insured out of town
*insured in no hurry to “get back to normal”
*older items taken and new items left
*more items taken than would fit in the remaining space
*neighbors report a number of items brought in or removed just prior to loss
*insured claims large amount of cash taken
*lack of receipts for big-ticket items
*insured provides detailed inventory list immediately after loss
*recent bankruptcy
*recent divorce.
*items reported to police are different from reports to insurance company
*items reported to insurance company much more than to police
*recent suits or judgments against insured
*recent partner split or dissolution of the corporation
*manufactured, altered, or replacement receipts
*financial problems — job loss, business failure, uninsured medical problems, overdue payment deadlines
*new policy, or one about to expire with no renewal
*insured not available, sends others to provide insurance information
*insured recently arrested — needs attorney fees
*property for sale
*business merchandise with no potential.

You may be wondering exactly why I chose to put this list among all the other information found on this website, and now I’ll tell you why –

Because Key Bumping Is One of the Most Underrated Threats To Peaceful Existence and Our Society Today! And Because Key Bumping Leaves Little or No Evidence Of the Illegal Entry! And Because “No Obvious Forced Entry” Is the Third-Highest Ranked Reason For an Insurance Company To Investigate More Deeply or to Deny a Claim !

Those of you have been here before know that I’ve told you about this many times over — and now I’ve told you again.  You do the math…

Buy some good deadbolts for your house, and have a great day, ’cause I know I’m gonna…

Val